1. Word finder
  2. Word definitions
  3. build-up

Find the word definition

What is "build-up"

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
build-up
noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ VERB
cause
▪ Filtration in the tank from day one can cause the build-up of infusoria.
▪ Both the workplace environment and domestic circumstances can cause a build-up of stress which can drive people to rely on drink.
prevent
▪ This will help to prevent the build-up of harmful plaque on the teeth, especially close to the border with the gums.
▪ Suspended floors to allow air flow and prevent radon build-up.
▪ This will prevent a build-up of the huge amount of heat that is produced in exercise.
▪ Wipe around the door seal with disinfectant to prevent a build-up of debris and germs.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪ Deal with any problems when necessary, so preventing a build-up of strain.
▪ Scientists are warning of a dangerous build-up of chemicals in the water.
▪ The changing world climate is probably due to a build-up of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide.
▪ The players always feel a huge build-up of tension and nerves before an important game.
▪ This could signal the biggest military build-up since the Cold War.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ Experts believe the absence of water in the toilet allowed a lethal build-up of methane gas.
▪ It depends on a simple and regular mechanism, the build-up of errors with time.
▪ The build-up of frustration he had felt since he lost the part would not allow him to be silent.
▪ The build-up of recessive genes increases the incidence of genetically determined diseases, such as sickle-cell anaemia in humans.
▪ Watch out for greasy oil build-up.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
build-up

buildup \build"up\, build-up \build-up\n.

  1. the act of building up an accumulation.

    Syn: build-up.

  2. the events, such as advertising or publicity, causing increased interest in some coming event. The buildup to Superbowl XXIV was the most intense of the series.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
build-up

also buildup, 1927, "accumulation of positive publicity," from build (v.) + up (adv.). Of any accumulation (but especially military) from 1943.

Wiktionary
build-up

n. (alternative form of buildup English)

Usage examples of "build-up".

The information regarding the approach of the Starveling Cultists has been made available to whoever it may concern, as was the information regarding the build-up of Mercatorial forces immediately prior to the unfortunate incident which took place within C-2 Storm Ultra-Violet 3667.

He left Chiu to monitor the power build-up, and joined Sarah and Yue Hwa.

U-boats and light surface vessels tried to attack, though with little success, but sea mines, which were mostly laid by aircraft, took a serious toll of Allied shipping and delayed our build-up.

But I had no build-up shots of cattle dead around the waterholes, of the Samburu abandoning their manyattas and the scene in isolation would make no sense.

The build-up of supply of eurobonds that had preceded the recent Sweden issue had almost all been bought, and a number of brokers had been caught short.

Rhythmic stroking of the frenulum and glans increases blood flow to the penis and facilitates the build-up of sexual tension required for orgasm.

And between contestants, the transmitter of the breath will be disinfected by a registered trained nurse with Listerine, so that there may be no build-up, or cumulative effect.

The most direct approach to dealing with the sorts of tension and toxic build-up which cause headaches is by eliminating blockages in the pressure points on the hands.

Hangovers and other types of headaches are caused by a build-up of toxins in the liver.

Although a few have been reported with propeller-like appendages or with jet-like exhausts, the typical UFO hovers above the earth with no visible means of support, then shoots away without any apparent build-up, like a bullet shot from a gun.

In the distance, Chainer heard his match being announced, the usual build-up of the fighters and the standard teasers about blood and danger to whip up the crowd.

We also expect both positive and negative charge to be deposited on the ribbon which would reduce teh net charge build-up.

We've been bleeding pure oxygen from the undamaged reservoirs into the CM but without the cyclers we can't do a thing about carbon dioxide build-up.

Two men in orange jackets were fiddling with the lights but in the end they had to resort to manual direction of the build-up of cars, vans and several articulated lorries.

I could cleanse build-ups in the blood flow, divert and eliminate toxins, and exercise some measure of mental control.